Xerophyte

Central Spines

There are no central spines.

Tubercles

about 4 mm high, 3 mm diameter on 9 ill-defined spiralling ribs.

Flowers

From base of stem, 40 mm long, 35 mm. Ovary 4 mm diameter, whitish and bare. Tube 15 mm long, 2 mm diameter only, with outstanding, brownish pointed scales 4-6 mm long. Outer petals lanceolate, 18 mm long, 4 mm wide, magenta- red on upper surface, brownish on under side.

Stem

Round, depressed at apex, in habitat about 15 mm diameter (in cultivation it gets to about 2 or 3 cm), sprouting freely. Dark green in colour and with a strong tap-root which is about 12 mm thick at soil level and 50-60 mm long.

Radial Spines

In a comb-like pattern, 4 or 5 on each side, 9 or 10 in all (or more later), fine bristle-like only 2-3 mm long, lying rather flat to stem. Whitish, brown at base.

Areoles

3 to 5 mm long, 1 mm wide, 3 mm apart, linear, with some white felt.